Gamble on course to pay off for Jose as Man United take first-leg lead

Jose Mourinho’s self-confessed gamble to prioritise the Europa League over the Premier League looks like being a success, after Marcus Rashford’s stunning free-kick gave Manchester United a vital first-leg lead in the semi-final against Celta Vigo, putting them within touching distance of both a trophy and a place at Europe’s top table for 2018.

Currently fifth in the Premier League, Mourinho’s decision to concentrate on a competition which guarantees a place in the Champions League to the team which wins the final in Stockholm in three weeks’ time was eye-raising, but well-calculated.

United begin a four-game domestic run-in with a tough trip to Arsenal on Sunday and are sitting a point behind Manchester City and four behind Liverpool in the table. So, when you consider they have already looked tired in recent matches, have suffered a terrible run of injuries and been held to a string of frustrating draws at Old Trafford, it’s easy to see why a semi-final in Spain followed by a final against Lyon or more likely Ajax (who lead 4-1 from the first leg of their last-four tie) looked a better route into Europe.